Great Public Spaces

Public Spaces Archive

Please note that these Hall of Shame nominations were written in a moment in time (most over a decade ago) and likely have since changed or even been transformed. If the above entry is now great, or still not so great, go ahead and comment below on how it has evolved or nominate it as a great place.

*Nominee

Kungsportsavenyn

GÕ_teborg

,

,

Sweden

Contributed by

Ethan Kent

Project for Public Spaces

on

August 2, 2005

December 14, 2017

A street that changes character about every two blocks, each transition serving a different purpose.

A grand boulevard with neighborhood shops, a trolley corridor, bike lanes, parking drop-off areas, mid-sidewalk display cases, bike racks, benches, plantings, sidewalk paving, street trees, public art--every great city should have a street that works on as many levels as Kungsportsavenyn.

Particularly remarkable are the ways different elements of Kungsportsavenyn have adapted over time. Passive historic facades have been made to engage the sidewalk with glass extensions and tents. The potentially street-deadening impacts of modern facades have likewise been mitigated, with caf_ extensions for instance. Sidewalks are buffered from trolleys by benches, bike racks, and trees.

The street's character changes about every two blocks, each transition serving a different purpose. It begins at the top of a hill surrounded by civic buildings and arts institutions. Next it becomes a boulevard with a center median bicycle greenway and smaller, neighborhood-scale businesses and shops. About two blocks later it becomes mainly a trolley street. And at the bottom of the hill, it opens up into an ornamental boulevard, leading to the entrance of the public garden on one side of the street, and opening out to the riverfront on the other side.

Access & Linkages

Comfort & Image

Uses & Activities

Sociability

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History & Background

Related Links & Sources

*Please note that these Hall of Shame nominations were written in a moment in time (most over a decade ago) and likely have since changed or even been transformed. If the above entry is now great, or still not so great, go ahead and comment below on how it has evolved or nominate it as a great place.